B.A.s are B.S. in Child Welfare: Did Anybody Learn Anything?

Abstract

Robin E. Perry's study compared the job performance of public child welfare agency caseworkers who had received bachelors degrees in social work and caseworkers whose bachelors degrees were in other practice fields. The study found no significant effects on subsequent job performance from having received a social work degree. Several methodological concerns are identified that challenge this conclusion, including whether the agency performance evaluations, used as the primary means of measuring job performance, provided accurate or complete information regarding the job performance of the study subjects. It is suggested that conclusions not be drawn about the impact of social work education on the job performance of child welfare on the basis of this study.

Keywords

social work education child welfare practice Robin Perry

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References

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Zlotnik, J. L. , Rome, S. H. , & DePanfilis, D. (1998). Educating for child welfare practice: A compendium of exemplary syllabi.Alexandria, VA: Council on Social Work Education.